This year has had it highs and its lows. We all expected lows, but these guys proved us wrong. Right now we are in a low point, but that does not mean we cannot go without a fight. Lets not play for the lottery, lets not play for business, lets play for the love of this game, and the only thing that matters in this game is WINNING!

Its always easy for a fan to talk this way. None of us really know what are in players hearts and minds, we speculate, we judge, but we never really actually know. People like myself never really know what these guys are like when the cameras are off. I can personally name many players that put on that smiling face just for the camera, and when I have met them in person when a camera is not around they snub me. But it is understandable. They don’t know who I am , I could be some crazy deranged fan looking to stalk them.

But these young players have shown a city hope. A new life, a new breath, everything we have wanted and more, and trust me more good things are to come. Everyone reading this that has a team that are above .600 and are playoff bound are wondering what the hell I am talking about. Everyone looks at our record of 33-31, and they say “what is all the excitement for ?” Well about this time last year we were at about 21 wins.  We are now at 33 and we have now surpassed last years record for wins. If the Blazers can pull off 40 wins without the “Franchise Beast” then I will consider this season a great success.

The 08-09 Season will be a strange season. I still anticipate losses, mainly because none of these guys have played with “The Dude” yet. I also anticipate a lot of movement in the guard positions in the off season. We might drop some folk, and we might pick some up as well. I think Pritch and company will deal their draft pick out with a trade for maybe a veteran guard. I love Jarrett Jack and Blake but we need consistency at that spot. There has been rumors of Brandon Roy moving over to the point when Rudy Fernandez comes along, but no one has staked a claim that “The Natural” will be a PG full time. It makes sense for BRoy to play the point, but with his addiction to injuries I would not think it would be the best place for him. The round mound would be happy as well, because we would no longer have “Midgets” in the back court.

So the lineup of the future is bright. But the big question that I have is the 3 spot. Martell Webster has got to be one of the most streakiest players I have ever witnessed. This guy is so damn good, I just don’t understand why he is so inconsistent. This year he really showed us a lot, but has he shown the Execs enough to hold on to him. Trout is turning into a full fledged baller. This guys game really reminds of Shawn Marion’s game, just a lot more exciting. But I think Pritch sees him as a huge bargaining chip, and that is something I don’t like. This guy could easily be the highest scorer on this team, and their is not doubt in my mind that he should be a starter. The only people I would like to see the Blazers try to pick up in the off season, is a PG, or another 3 guard. Possibly Andre Iguodala who is up for a qualifying offer from the 76ers at the end of this season, which I don’t think he will take. He will shop free agency and see who bites. But my suggestion to Pritch is deal Jack, and find a vet backup for BRoy at the point, and save the cash for the end of 08-09 season and either deal for Chris Paul or Deron Williams.

On that note here is my starting lineup for  the 08-09 season.

P Guard - Brandon Roy

2 Guard - Rudy Fernandez
3  Guard -  Travis Outlaw
PF - Lamarcus Aldridge
C - Greg Oden
So what are your opinions on next year?

WOW. That’s all I can say after that game. It was not the best Lakers game I have ever seen, and they did not win by a 30 point margin, but the chemistry I just witnessed between Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant was simply not right. It looked like they have been playing for together for years. They beat New Jersey by 15 points, and they did it with ease. Granted at this point the Nets are just giving up. But none the less it was great for the Lakers. Crazy thing is Kobe only scored 6 points.

It looked like Kobe wanted to see what Pau was all about, and damn did Kobe love it. He had a gigantic grin on his face the entire 3rd and 4th quarter. Pau had a monster of a game on his coming out party. He had 24 points, and 12 rebounds. I still don’t understand how the Lakers got him for practically nothing. But that is another story.

After seeing this game it makes me think that these guys are ready to plow through everyone in the West. Kobe and Pau are the real deal, and when Bynum comes back it will just not be fair.

I am saying this now, the Lakers will make it to the finals this year, and they will win!

Lamar Odom, Kobe, Fish, Pau, Bynum, I would go with that lineup over everyone right now. Bynum, Kobe, and Pau are enough, but then you add that veteran experience of Fish, and Odom. It was almost a thing of beauty to watch. Pau and Kobe look like they were made for each other. It was not forced at all. Pau looks happy, and so do the Lakers. Everyone else in the west is pissed.

Kup must have sold his soul for this deal.

Can’t wait to see more of this team play, and the future matchups in the coming years. I especially can’t wait till Oden comes back to see these two sets of trios face each other. BRoy, LA, Oden vs. Kobe, Pau, Bynum, who would you put the money on?

The NBA is great right now, so many good players, so many good teams. Probably the most exciting season in 5-10 years. 

Well I now know why they call AI the Answer, and I know why they call Carmelo Melo. Because Allen Iverson is the truth. The answer to all puzzles. Defensive puzzles and offensive puzzles. The Answer killed us all tonight in the Rose City. He strolled in with about 17.1 seconds on the clock in OT and then buried it with about 1.1 seconds, leaving the Blazers .9 to shoot.  Melo and AI killed us all night, but it I am making it sound like the Blazers did not put up a fight. Guess what they did. A fight that almost went down into the books. Melo is cool , calm, and collected. He  is truly the definition of a mellow dude.

The Blazers were flat the whole first quarter absolutely played terrible. But the Nuggets were not so hot either. The Nuggets lead 20-14 in the first quarter. At about the 10 minute marker in the second the Blazers made a mind altering push, which in turn made the Rose Garden go nuts. It was like Martell, Brandon, Channing, Joel, Travis, looked all of us in the eyes and said we will not go down without a fight. We all believed, because Martell “The Definition” Webster went off. It seemed like Channing and Marty were dropping everything, which they nearly were. But with about 1.8 left on the clock AI throws a short half court shot to tie it back. We all sigh again is disbelief .

The third starts and it starts well. Both teams are playing incredible basketball. I am in shear awe of AI and Melo. They are truly a dynamic duo that has not even come close to reaching their peak. Melo is the real deal. Words fully cannot be expressed by his stunning ability. He is like an old school big body Benz, but with handling. For a fairly big guy has a great first step, you can just see those twitch muscles balling up and exploding. Something that only comes with a lot of dedication in the Gym. 

Now AI, what can you say about this guy? Not much except legend. He kills us in the 3rd and the 4th. Then he dropped the dagger on us in OT. A dagger that almost killed us all. You could just see the guy rocking out to Thriller in his head after he dropped that oh so beautiful jumper.

Now Blazers fans don’t worry I have not given into the dark side. The Blazers played a great game in terms of personal stats. But team’s stats were just horrible. They had 18 turnovers, they only shot about 41.3% from the field, and a descent 72% from the stripe. But they could not him the free throws in the clutch. Trout had a chance to put it away in the 4th with 2.9 seconds left, he got fouled on a 15 foot corner jumper be Najera.  At this point the Blazers are down by one. He misses the first one and you can here the crowd groan in pain. The he hits the second at ties it up.  Then we head to OT and the hem ridging starts. Turnover, turnover, turnover. The only reason why we stayed in this game is that the Nuggets played just as bad as we did. But stars shine in dark times, and the Nuggets have one more All Star then the Blazers do.

The spread tonight in Vegas was the Blazers by two. After they heard Camby was out the spread changed to 12 favoring the Blazers. I thought it was a done deal with Camby out. But AI and Melo stepped up huge for Denver. 

Brandon looked like he was on track for another triple double, so did Jarrett Jack. They were both so close. Roy had 26 points, 8 assists, and 7 rebounds. Jarrett had 17 points, 9 assists, and 9 rebounds. But Melo was the overall stat leader with a mind numbing 28 points and 15 rebounds, 15 folks. AI dropped 25 points and 8 assists. 

I was 8 rows back tonight, and I could see the pain in Brandon’s face after his missed a jumper with .9 left in OT, It hurt so badly. I stood their stunned. Awe struck. But I felt that the Blazers have been shot out of their slump. Even though they lost they started to really look like that Portland team we saw in December. I think this game was the turning point. But right now they are going to have to play the hardest ball of their lives if they want to get into those playoffs. Which they will, because they have us, and this town supports all of them. They are our team, and we love them win or lose. Now it is a true time to shine, a time now when boys truly become men. Do you pick your asses up and press  on with a  full head of steam, or do you fall in defeat? I choose the first option, and I am quite sure the  team will choose the first as well.

We are fanatical about these guys, they need to know it. Do not doubt these guys; they sure in hell are not out of it. Not even close. Especially if BRoy has anything to say about it. 

 Blazers Nation lives on, now we are pissed!